In the Fall of 2013 we put together a survey that was sent out in the mail to current subscribers with their Fall issue of Open Minds Quarterly. It was important for us to to put together a survey asking significant questions to our current subscribers and gain valuable thoughts and input from our readers. Their responses will help guide the direction of our magazine in the coming years.

When we sent the surveys out, we included a free 2014 Open Minds Quarterly-themed pocket calendar and offered respondents the chance to win one of two of our other publications from NISA/Northern Initiative for Social ActionMental Pencil and Food is Mood. Subscribers returned their survey to us with a ballot filled out, and in the beginning of January 2014, two winners were selected. Our winners chose which of the two publications they wished to receive. Congratulations, again, to P. Muir and H. Mailer for being the chosen recipients of our draw!

The following are a selection of the valuable reflections we received from our readers:

[table caption=”Why do you read Open Minds Quarterly?” width=”600″ colwidth=”600|400|100″ colalign=”left|left|center|center”]
Response,Percentage
To inform myself on the thoughts and perspectives of mental health consumer/survivors, 69%

To gain knowledge and understanding about the experience of mental illness, 53%

As a support tool for me own struggles with a mental illness, 58%

As an educational/resource tool on mental illness and recovery, 44%

Other (please specify), 28%
[/table]

As we can see, readers find Open Minds Quarterly to be  very informative resource, as well as a support tool for their own experiences with mental illness. The thoughts and perspectives of consumer/survivors want to be heard, and our magazine is viewed as an important space to gain that additional knowledge and understanding.

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This shows us that our readers ARE aware that we – the publishers of Open Minds Quarterly – also share experience about living with mental illness. It is important to our readers, and it is important to us, that the publication team of OMQ also shares knowledge and experience about living with mental illness.

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We can see that the majority of our readers anticipate receiving our next issue, showing the continued value, interest, and excitement that they have in what we publish. This is wonderful feedback to receive!

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This tells us that readers continue to find the readings not only helpful for their own journeys with mental illness, but also a space to receive inspiration for possibilities. This feedback helps to confirm the value of what we are doing.

 

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The chart above tells us that readers think very highly of our content, cover images and artwork. They also think very well of the writing, the layout and design, and find the reading fairly easy to handle. Great to know!

 

 

Is there any piece of writing that you have read in Open Minds Quarterly that has been particularly meaningful to you? If so, can you please share what that writing was and why it had such an impact on you?

 

It was a poem depicting a person’s daily struggles with an [eating disorder]. Eerie – felt as if I could have written that poem myself. Felt like someone was going through the same struggles. Didn’t feel all alone.

“Your First Time” [Spring 2013 issue] describes one’s first time in a mental hospital. I find it useful every time I am admitted. I am more aware of what will happen and which questions to ask.

The article by Odette St. Gelais “She was only 3” on PPD [Winter 2011]. The suffering of Odette really mirrored how things can get out of control in the mental health system. PPD is a real issue I knew little about until I read the article. And, it had a happy ending!

 

 

Imagine you’re describing Open Minds Quarterly to someone who has never read the magazine before. Complete this sentence: “Open Minds Quarterly is…”

A great publication that provides profound insights into mental health issues and the people who overcome or cope with mental health problems.

A magazine that helps both people with mental illness and those without expand their knowledge and lend support.

A way to share ourselves.

A brilliantly combined, well-spaced, attractively portrayed front cover, and invites me always to me quiet chair with maybe a comforting cocktail. I feel as if I have come “home” when I become lost in its glowing well-being flood of feelings.

 

Our final question that we asked was whether readers had any other comments about Open Minds Quarterly that they wanted to share. This is what they had to say:

 Keep printing it! We need this newsletter! It is one of a kind!

Open Minds Quarterly has been helpful, informative, hopeful and inspiring.

It helps me know that I am not alone.

Over the years I have shared OMQ with a number of people, they all seem to really like the issues. The magazine has also been a good outlet for my own creative writing endeavors, I imagine is true with all your contributors. Good job, OMQ.

It has really helped my son identify with some of the survivor stories. It also allows him to share his thoughts with me on some of the articles. It helps us create discussion around mental health.

I’m glad to have it to offer my clients a place to submit their work.

I really enjoyed “Why Men Cry in the Dark” [Fall 2013] — the whole issue. I think the quality of writing in your magazine is excellent and improving all the time.

Look forward to the magazine. Wish there were more in the year.

 Thank you to all who responded to our survey! Your feedback will be very useful and valuable to us as we shape the reading experience of our magazine in the coming year(s), in addition to our steps to further develop our website. The responses we have received have helped to confirm that value of our magazine and that it is very well received. Should anyone have further questions about the survey, please don’t hesitate to get in touch

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